Report Launch: State of American Men 2026

74 Percent of Young Men Say Financial Security Is Harder Than for Their Fathers’ Generation, New Report Finds

A new report from Equimundo, Young Men Research Project, and YouGov examines young men’s economic anxieties, faith in the American Dream, use of AI and prediction markets, online and in-person connection, ideas about manhood, and views on democracy.

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September 25, 2026, WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nearly three in four young men in the United States say it is much harder for their generation to feel financially secure than it was for their fathers’ generation. Still, 54 percent believe the American Dream is attainable for them personally, according to State of American Men 2026, a new report from Equimundo, Young Men Research Project (YMRP), and YouGov.

The report looks at the lives and views of young men ages 18 to 29 in the United States, including their experiences with money and work, gambling and prediction markets, AI, online and in-person relationships, ideas about manhood, and democracy. The findings draw on a nationally representative survey, four focus groups, social listening, and analysis of podcasts popular with young men.

The survey finds 69 percent of young men constantly worry about their own and their family’s financial future. Half say homeownership is out of reach, and 40 percent worry about losing their job. Still, 54 percent believe the American Dream is personally attainable.

When young men look back at previous generations, their answers point most strongly to money, housing, and community. The survey finds 69 percent say housing affordability was better 50 years ago, 60 percent say people’s connection to their community was better, and 58 percent say access to well-paying jobs was better. By comparison, 43 percent say the role of men in society was better in the past.

Key findings

• Young men long for the economy and society of a past America. Forty-four percent believe the country is worse off today than it was 50 years ago, compared with 32 percent who say it is better off. Seventy-four percent say it is much harder for their generation to feel financially secure than it was for their fathers’ generation.
• Financial stability feels elusive right now, but young men still believe it’s coming – some groups more than others. Sixty-nine percent say they constantly worry about their financial future, yet 54 percent believe the American Dream is attainable for them personally. Young men with college degrees and full-time jobs are more likely to believe the American Dream is within reach.
• Pockets of young men are turning to speculative economies. Thirty-five percent have used prediction markets such as Kalshi or Polymarket. Just under half have purchased a product from someone they follow online, including supplements, financial advice, cryptocurrency, online courses, or personalized coaching.
• Young men see opportunity in AI, but not all are convinced. Seventy-eight percent use AI, including 43 percent who use it daily. Among college-educated young men, 51 percent say AI has had a positive effect on their career prospects, compared with 27 percent of young men without a college degree.
• Young men are digitally immersed. But purpose is shaped more by in-person connection, which is downstream of economic opportunity. Fifty-eight percent say they have become close friends with someone they first met online. Young men with a stronger sense of purpose also report more close friends and spend more time in places such as gyms, parks, restaurants, and nightlife venues.
• Young men believe society unfairly burdens men and more have bought into “Man Box” ideals. Forty-two percent agree that a man should always have the final say in decisions in his relationship or marriage, up from 34 percent in 2017. Forty percent agree that a gay man is not a “real man,” up from 29 percent in 2017.
• Young men’s commitment to democracy is unstable – and largely shaped by online voices that are not overtly political. Seventy-seven percent say elections are important to the well-being of the country, while 72 percent say most elected officials do not care what people like them think. One in three agree that a president who “tears it all down” is the only way forward.
• Young men want political change built on the promise of upward mobility and institutional fairness. Seventy-seven percent support universal health care, 73 percent support raising taxes on billionaires, 71 percent support setting a maximum age limit for elected officials, 68 percent support universal paid paternity leave, and 64 percent support banning private equity firms from buying single-family homes.

When asked what matters most in a close friend, 40 percent select authenticity as one of their three most important traits. Kindness follows at 35 percent, with 34 percent choosing someone who is there during hard times. Sixteen percent select having successful or ambitious friends.

The path forward

The report recommends expanding career pathways outside four-year universities, investing in community spaces and mentorship, and supporting policies such as paid paternity leave and more accessible health care.

The recommendations also address gambling, prediction markets, the online “grift economy,” and moderation in digital spaces. The authors call for greater accountability for gambling companies and social media platforms, including advertising practices and the spread of harmful financial and health content.

On AI, the report recommends helping parents understand how young people are using these tools, including AI companions and other forms of AI-based intimacy, as well as the risks of technology-facilitated gender-based violence and deepfake pornography.

For boys and younger men, the authors recommend education and mentorship that make care a normal part of manhood. They also call for more physical spaces where young men can spend time together, particularly in underserved communities and for young men who do not attend college.

[Download State of American Men 2026]

Methodology

State of American Men 2026 draws on a nationally representative survey designed by Equimundo and YMRP and fielded by YouGov. The survey included 1,000 young men and 500 young women ages 18 to 29 in the United States and asked about economic concerns, civic engagement, social views, gambling, AI, trusted influencers, online communities, and in-person connection.

The study also included four focus groups conducted in spring 2026, three with young men and one with young women. Participants represented a mix of racial and ethnic backgrounds, regions, incomes, and political views.

YMRP gathered roughly 500 of the most popular posts from each of 10 subreddits frequented by young men, covering posts published between January 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026. The posts were coded for recurring themes including nostalgia, censorship, community, economic frustration or optimism, politics, and institutional fairness. Researchers also analyzed transcripts from seven podcasts popular with young men.

State of American Men 2026 was authored by Charlie Sabgir, Taveeshi Gupta, John Ray, Ishan Bhatnagar, and Gary Barker.

About Equimundo

Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice works globally to promote care by and for men and boys, reduce violence and inequity, and achieve well-being for all. Through research, programs, and advocacy, Equimundo works with partners to advance gender equality and social justice.

About Young Men Research Project

Young Men Research Project is a research organization dedicated to understanding political and social trends among young men in the United States and engaging them in civic life. Through opinion polling, research, and partnerships, YMRP provides organizations with data about young men’s experiences and views.

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